Device and method for sensing a conveying rate of a liquid material

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device and to a method for sensing a conveying rate at which liquid material is filled into a metallurgical target vessel ( 6 ) from a pivotable starting vessel ( 4 ). For this purpose, means for determining an amount of liquid material with which the initial vessel ( 4 ) has been filled and means for sensing an amount of the liquid material which is discharged toward the target vessel ( 6 ) or filled into the target vessel ( 6 ) by pivoting of the starting vessel ( 4 ) are provided.

The invention relates to a device for sensing a conveying rate at whichliquid material is filled into a metallurgical target vessel from apivotable starting vessel and to a corresponding method.

According to the prior art, in the field of continuous steelmaking, itis known to continuously charge a furnace with a metallic charge. Forthis purpose, a method and a device are known, for example, from U.S.Pat. No. 6,004,504, wherein the metallic charge used in the processconsists in particular of scrap metal in the form of solid particles. Bymeans of a conveying rate detector, it is possible to determine theweight and the speed of the metallic charge supplied to a furnace.However, according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,504, a furnace can only besupplied with a solid or particulate metallic charge and not with liquidmaterials.

DE 10 2005 023 133 A1 discloses an installation for the measurement andthe control of the charging of a furnace with molten material and scrapmetal, and a corresponding method. Such an installation provides anautomatic device for managing the charging of molten material or scrapmetal as a function of the energy supplied to the bath, and a device formeasuring the supplied molten material, which is associated with theautomatic management device, wherein, for this purpose, a device forweighing the furnace, its content and possibly additional componentsweighing on said furnace is also provided. For a continuous control ofthe furnace weight, two measurement methods are possible, namely, on theone hand, a method based on the liquid metal level, for indirect controlof the furnace weight, and, on the other hand, a direct method by meansof which the weight of the installation is determined using appropriatesensors. The indirect measurement method is based on a geometric sensingof the liquid metal level within the furnace, wherein this data can beconverted into volume data which then allows, if the specific density ofthe liquid metal is known, an inference of the weight of the liquidmetal accommodated within the furnace. The indirect measurement methodis only carried out, when the furnace is filled with the liquid metal,in order to determine, as explained, the level of the liquid metalwithin the furnace. If erosion occurs on the inner lining of the furnaceas a consequence of an interaction with the liquid metal, the innervolume of the furnace can change, resulting disadvantageously inconsiderable inaccuracy for the indirect measurement method.

EP 2 061 612 B1 discloses a method for pouring a melt from a tiltablemetallurgical vessel and a corresponding installation for carrying outthis method. According to this prior art, a pouring of a melt from atiltable metallurgical vessel into a receiving vessel can be carried outcompletely automatically, since the position of a melt pouring stream,which results from a determined tilting position of the metallurgicalvessel, is determined in an automated manner, wherein, subsequently, asa function of the determined position of this pouring stream, thereceiving vessel is brought into a position so as to accommodate themelt dumped from the metallurgical vessel. By a repositioning or movingthe receiving vessel which is under the metallurgical vessel, the factthat the pouring stream of the melt also changes as a function of thetilting angle of the metallurgical vessel, which also changes as thepouring progresses, is taken into account. As a result, a fullyautomated pouring of the melt into the receiving vessel is thenpossible.

The prior art explained above has the underlying disadvantage eitherthat the feed material with which the furnace is charged can beprocessed only in solid form or that, in the measurement method for thetargeted charging of this feed material, an expensive weightdetermination of installation components including a lower vessel for acasting ladle is necessary.

Accordingly, the underlying aim of the invention is to sense, usingsimple means, the conveying rate of a liquid material at which theliquid material is filled into a metallurgical target vessel and, basedon this, to also precisely set or regulate said conveying rate.

The above aim is achieved by a device having the features indicated inclaim 1 and by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous developmentsof the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

A device according to the present invention is used for sensing aconveying rate at which a liquid material is filled into a metallurgicaltarget vessel from a pivotable starting vessel and comprises means fordetermining an amount of liquid material with which the starting vesselhas been filled and means for sensing an amount of liquid material whichis discharged by pivoting of the starting vessel toward the targetvessel.

A method according to the present invention is used for sensing aconveying rate of a liquid material at which the liquid material isfilled into a metallurgical target vessel from a pivotable startingvessel, and is characterized by the following steps:

(i) determining an amount of liquid material which is contained orfilled in the starting vessel, and

(ii) sensing the amount of liquid material which is discharged towardthe target vessel by pivoting of the starting vessel.

The invention is based on the essential finding that, using suitablemeans, the amount of liquid material which is discharged toward thetarget vessel by pivoting of the starting vessel can be sensed. In otherwords, this amount of liquid material is the conveying rate at which theliquid material is filled into the metallurgical target vessel. In oneoption, this conveying rate can be sensed volumetrically, for example,by means of scanning devices suitable for this purpose or the like. If apredetermined specific density of the liquid material is known, it isthen possible to convert the sensed volume amount of the liquid materialinto a corresponding weight. In an alternative option, it is alsopossible to provide that the amount of liquid material which isdischarged from the starting vessel toward the target vessel is senseddirectly gravimetrically, for example, by a weighing device or the like,which can be designed in the form of a weight measurement cell.

Liquid materials whose conveying rate is sensed by means of a device ora method according to the present invention can in general be liquidsubstances, for example, pig iron, slag or the like, which can have ahigh temperature and possibly a low viscosity.

In one option, the liquid material can be filled directly into thetarget vessel during pivoting of the starting vessel. Alternatively, itis possible to arrange auxiliary means between the starting vessel andthe target vessel, for example, a feed chute, wherein, when the startingvessel is pivoted toward the target vessel, the liquid material is firstdischarged into this feed chute, and then filled through this feed chuteinto the metallurgical target vessel. Here, it is possible for the feedchute to lead directly to the metallurgical vessel or for additionalauxiliary means, for example, a conveying chute or the like, to beconnected to the feed chute, by means of which a transport of the liquidmaterial into the target vessel is ensured.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the means by which theamount of liquid material in the starting vessel is determined comprisea first scanning device. By means of such a scanning device it ispossible to scan the starting vessel and its geometry, namely both whenthe starting vessel is still empty and also when the liquid material isfilled into the starting vessel. The scanning of the starting vessel inthe empty state is advantageous in particular for determining a possibleaccommodation volume of the starting vessel, because thereby a precisestate of an inner wall of the starting vessel can be detected ordetermined. This is particularly advantageous if the starting vessel isa casting ladle whose inner wall as a rule has a lining which can besubjected to erosive wear due to contact with hot metal melt. In thesense of the present invention, it is advantageous if, before processinga new charge of liquid material, in the context of step (i) of theinventive method, the starting vessel is first scanned by the firstscanning device in the empty state, i.e., when no liquid material iscontained therein. Thereby, it is ensured that in each case a currentpotential accommodation volume of the starting vessel can be inferred.

In an advantageous development of the invention, at least one weighingdevice can be provided, with which the weight of the starting vessel isdetermined, namely while the starting vessel is tilted toward the targetvessel in order to fill the liquid material into the target vessel. Sucha weighing device can be integrated in a deposition stand on which thestarting vessel can be positioned, or in a crane to which the startingvessel can be attached. By means of such a weighing device it is thuspossible, based on the detected change in the weight of the startingvessel when said starting vessel is pivoted toward the target vessel andas a result the liquid material exits toward the target vessel, to inferthe conveying rate at which the liquid material is filled into themetallurgical target vessel.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the means—by means ofwhich the amount of liquid material discharged by pivoting of thestarting vessel toward the target vessel is sensed—comprise a pathmeasurement sensor or a position measuring device. Thereby, it ispossible to determine a tilting movement with which the starting vesselis pivoted toward the target vessel, namely with regard to a tiltingangle as well as a tilting speed for the starting vessel.

The above-mentioned first scanning device can be arranged and designedin such a manner that hereby a filling height at which the liquidmaterial is filled within the starting vessel can be determined.Optionally it is possible that, with such a scanning device, a change inthe filling height within the starting vessel is sensed while thestarting vessel is pivoted toward the target vessel and in the processthe liquid material exits from the starting vessel.

Additionally and/or alternatively, according to an advantageousdevelopment of the invention, a second scanning device can be provided,which is directed onto the feed chute arranged between the startingvessel and the target vessel. By means of the second scanning device,the feed chute is scanned in order to determine a filling height of theliquid material therein while the starting vessel is pivoted toward thetarget vessel and thereby the liquid material flows into the feed chute.In this context, it may be pointed out that the geometry of the feedchute and its inclination toward the target vessel are known. On thebasis of this, it is possible, using a filling height of the liquidmaterial within the feed chute determined by the scanning device, toinfer the volume or the conveying rate of the liquid material with or atwhich the liquid material is filled into the target vessel.

In an advantageous development of the invention, in step (ii), a tiltingspeed for the starting vessel is set by selection or regulation in sucha manner that the conveying rate at which the liquid material exits fromthe starting vessel toward the target vessel is substantially constant.Thereby, it is possible that the liquid material is filled into themetallurgical target vessel at a predetermined conveying rate. Due tothe adjustment of the tilting speed of the starting vessel, a decreasein the filling height of the liquid material within the starting vessel,which occurs when the liquid material exits from the starting vessel, isappropriately compensated for in order to achieve a desired conveyingrate.

It may be pointed out that, in the case of a furnace amongst others forsteelmaking, the device according to the present invention can either beprovided as original equipment or it can have been retrofitted. In anycase, the essential components of the device according to the inventionare formed by the means for determining an amount of liquid materialwhich is has been filled in the starting vessel and by the means forsensing an amount of liquid material which is discharged by pivoting ofthe starting vessel toward the target vessel. In contrast, the startingvessel and the target vessel themselves are not necessarily part of thedevice according to the invention.

Below, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail inreference to a schematically simplified drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified side view, with partial cutaway, of ametallurgical furnace and of a pivotable casting ladle associated withthe furnace,

FIG. 2-4 in each case show side views of the casting ladle of FIG. 1 indifferent pivoted positions in relation to the metallurgical furnace,for illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 shows highly simplified cross-sectional views of a casting ladle,(a) when a liquid material is filled into said casting ladle, and (b)when the casting ladle is empty,

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a casting ladle for illustrating anadditional embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a feed chute whichleads to the furnace of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 shows a simplified side view of a casting ladle for illustratingan additional embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows, in a side view, simplified and with partial cutaway, aportion of a furnace used, for example, for steelmaking, and anassociated casting ladle which is arranged so that it can pivot towardthe furnace. The invention can be used with such a furnace as explainedin detail below.

The subject matter of the present invention is based on the fact thatthereby a conveying rate at which a liquid material is filled from apivotable starting vessel into a metallurgical target vessel is sensed.For explanation of the invention, in reference to FIG. 1, a pivotablestarting vessel is always understood to mean a casting ladle, and ametallurgical target vessel is always understood to mean a furnace,without being limited to such components or elements.

FIG. 2-4 illustrate a first embodiment of an inventive device 1 and showa casting ladle 4 of FIG. 1 in different operating positions in relationto a furnace 6 with which the casting ladle 4 is associated. The castingladle 4 can be pivoted toward the furnace 6. In particular, the castingladle 4 is shown in a starting position (FIG. 2), in an intermediateposition (FIG. 3), and in a final position (FIG. 4). Starting from thestarting position according to FIG. 2, pivoting of the casting ladle 4toward the furnace 6 is used for the purpose of discharging a liquidmaterial, for example, liquid pig iron, from the casting ladle 4 towardthe furnace 6 and filling it into the furnace 6 preferably at apredetermined conveying rate.

Adjoining the furnace 6, a ladle deposition stand 7 is positioned, whichhas a pair of holding arms 8 which are pivotable around a horizontalaxis A. On a free end of the holding arm 8, blind grooves 8 s (FIG. 2)are formed in each case. On opposite sides of the casting ladle, guidingpins 4 z (FIG. 2) are attached in each case. Thus it is possible to hookin the casting ladle 4 between the holding arms 8 in that the guidingpins 4 z are hooked into the blind grooves 8 s of the two holding arms8.

The ladle deposition stand 7 comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder10 which is articulated to one of the two holding arms 8.Advantageously, a separate hydraulic cylinder 10 is associated with eachof the two holding arms 8, which cannot be seen in the side views of thedrawing. By an actuation of the hydraulic cylinder(s) 10, it is possibleto pivot the holding arms 8. Here, at the same time, a pivoting of thecasting ladle 4 around the axis A into different operating positionsoccurs, since the position of the casting ladle 4, after it has beenhooked in between the holding arms 8, is secured relative to the holdingarms 8 and does not change.

Between the ladle deposition stand 7 and the furnace 6, a feed chute 12is arranged, the course of which is inclined downward toward the furnace6. Adjoining the feed chute 12, a conveying chute 13 which leads to thefurnace 6 is provided. The feed chute 12 is connected by articulation bymeans of an articulated lever 14 (FIG. 3) to a frame construction of theladle deposition stand 7, whereby the inclination of the feed chute 12toward the furnace 6 can be changed by an adjustment of the articulatedlever 14, preferably by motor.

If liquid material is filled into the casting ladle 4 and subsequentlythe casting ladle 4 is pivoted from its starting position (FIG. 2)around the axis A by an actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 10 and thustilted toward the furnace 6, for example, into the intermediate positionaccording to FIG. 3, the liquid material exits then from an opening 5 ofthe casting ladle 4 into the feed chute 12. In FIG. 3, a filling heightto which the feed chute 12 is filled by the liquid material 2 issymbolized by a dotted line 16. The liquid material 2 flows from thefeed chute 12 into the conveying chute 13 connected thereto andsubsequently reaches the interior of the furnace 6. The resultingfilling height 16 for the liquid material 2 within the feed chute 12 isset by the tilting angle of the casting ladle 4 and possibly by theinclination angle of the feed chute 12.

In FIG. 4, the casting ladle 4 is pivoted into its final position,namely by a corresponding actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 10 and aresulting movement of the holding arms 8. In this final position, it isensured that the liquid material 2 flows substantially completely out ofthe casting ladle 2 and is filled as intended into the furnace 6. InFIG. 4, in the same way as in FIG. 3, a filling height 16 to which thefeed chute 12 is filled with the liquid material 2 is symbolized by adotted line. Additionally, it may be pointed out that the casting ladle4 is also pivoted into its final position in the representation of FIG.1.

The device 1 comprises means 18 for determining an amount of liquidmaterial which is filled into the starting vessel in the form of thecasting ladle 4.

These means 18 comprise, for example, a first scanning device 20 (FIG.2), with which the casting ladle 4 can be scanned when said castingladle is filled with the liquid material 2. Additionally, it is possibleto scan the casting ladle 4 and its geometry by means of the firstscanning device 20 in order to determine thereby an exact value for theinner volume of the casting ladle.

FIG. 5 shows a highly simplified cross-sectional view of the castingladle 4. In the representation (a) of FIG. 5, the casting ladle 4 isscanned by means of the first scanning device 20 when liquid material 2is filled into the casting ladle 4. In the representation (b) of FIG. 5,the casting ladle 4 in the empty state is scanned by means of the firstscanning device 20. By scanning the casting ladle 4 when it is empty andthus no liquid material is filled into it, it is possible to determinean exact inner volume for the casting ladle 4, also taking intoconsideration possible wear of its lining on the inner circumferentialsurface. For the present invention it is advantageous to scan thecasting ladle 4 always in an empty state, before liquid material 2, forexample as next charge of pig iron, is again filled into it.

If an exact inner volume of the casting ladle 4 is known, which isdetermined, as explained, by scanning the empty casting ladle 4, it isthen possible to infer the amount of liquid material filled into thecasting ladle 4 by scanning the filling height to which the castingladle 4 is filled with liquid material 2. This amount can be calculatedas a volume, wherein, based on a predetermined specific density of theliquid material, the weight of the liquid material within the castingladle 4 can thus also be determined.

The device 1 comprises additional means 24 for sensing an amount ofliquid material which is discharged during pivoting of the casting ladle4 toward the furnace 6.

The means 24 can comprise a sensor 26 for path measurement sensing whichis provided on the hydraulic cylinder 10. By means of this sensor 26, itis possible to determine an exact position of the holding arms 8 andthus also of the casting ladle 4 hooked therein. Based on this, it ispossible to measure a tilting movement of the casting ladle 4, namelyboth with regard to a tilting angle and also with regard to a tiltingspeed relative to the furnace 6.

The invention then works as follows:

Before the processing of a charge of liquid material 2 in the form ofpig iron, for example, the casting ladle 4 is scanned first in the emptystate by means of the scanning device 20 in order to determine exactlythe inner volume of the casting ladle 4. Subsequently, the liquidmaterial 2 is filled into the casting ladle 4, wherein, by means of thescanning device 20, the filling height for the liquid material 2 withinthe casting ladle is then determined. Then, starting from its startingposition according to FIG. 2, the casting ladle 4 is tilted around theaxis A toward the furnace 6 and in the process, via an intermediateposition (FIG. 3), reaches its final position (FIG. 4). As alreadyexplained, in the process, the liquid material 2 flows out of theopening 5 of the casting ladle 4 into the feed chute 12 and finally intothe furnace 6. The speed at which the casting ladle 4 is tilted aroundthe axis A toward the furnace 6 is calculated beforehand, taking intoconsideration the filling height or the filling weight of the liquidmaterial accommodated in the casting ladle 4, and is set appropriatelyby an actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 10.

Additional embodiments of the invention are explained below in referenceto the representation according to FIG. 6.

The means 24 can also comprise a first weighing device 22 which can beprovided alternatively or additionally to the scanning device 20. Thefirst weighing device 22 is integrated in the ladle deposition stand 7and enables a determination of the weight of the casting ladle 4 hookedinto the holding arms 8, namely both in the starting position of thecasting ladle and also during the pivoting around the axis A. Takinginto consideration the change in the weight of the casting ladle 4 whichresults as a consequence of an exit of the liquid material 2 during thepivoting of the casting ladle around the axis A, the amount of liquidmaterial which is filled into the furnace 6, i.e., the conveying rate,can be determined by calculation.

By means of the first weighing device 22, it is also possible todetermine the weight of the liquid material 2 filled into the castingladle 4 when said casting ladle is in its starting position according toFIG. 2. This occurs in a simple way by a measurement of the weight ofthe casting ladle 4 in an empty state and subsequently in a filled statetogether with the liquid material 2. To that extent, the first weighingdevice 22 is also a component of the means 18.

According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the means 24 cancomprise a second scanning device 28 with which the filling height 16for the liquid material 2 within the feed chute 12 is determined. FIG. 7shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the feed chute 12 andillustrates that the second scanning device 28 is positioned, forexample, above the feed chute 12, in order to scan the feed chute 12 andthereby sense the filling height 16 for the liquid material 2. In thiscontext, it may be pointed out in regard to the feed chute 12 that itsgeometry (in a plane orthogonal to the flow direction of the liquidmaterial) and its inclination angle toward the furnace 6 are known.

According to an additional embodiment of the invention, it is possibleto provide that the means 24, additionally or alternatively to thesecond scanning device 28, comprise a second weighing device 30 which isshown only symbolically in a highly simplified manner in therepresentation of FIG. 7. By means of the second weighing device 30, theweight in the feed chute 12 can be determined continuously when, duringa pivoting of the casting ladle 4 around the axis A, the liquid material2 exits from the casting ladle 4 into the feed chute 12. Based on themeasurement of the weight of the feed chute 12 when the liquid material2 flows through the feed chute 2, it is then possible, by a comparisonwith a previously determined weight of the feed chute 12 when said feedchute is empty and no liquid material is contained therein, to infer theconveying rate at which the liquid material 2 is filled into the furnace6 through the feed chute 12.

According to an additional embodiment of the invention, it is possibleto provide that, additionally or alternatively to the second scanningdevice 28 or to the second weighing device 30, the means 24 comprisemeasuring loops 32 which are embedded in the fireproof (FF) materialfrom which the feed chute 12 is manufactured (compare FIG. 7). If thefeed chute 12 is run through by a flow of liquid material in the form ofpig iron, electrical fields are induced in the measuring loops 32, bymeans of which the resulting filling height 16 for the pig iron withinthe feed chute 12 can be determined.

Based on the filling height 16 for the liquid material 2 within the feedchute 12, which filling height 16 is sensed by the second scanningdevice 28 and/or by the measuring loops 32, it is then possible to inferthe amount or conveying rate at which the liquid material 2 flowsthrough the feed chute 12 and is subsequently filled into the furnace 6.

According to an additional embodiment of the invention, it is possibleto provide that the casting ladle 4 is hooked on a crane 34. This isshown in a simplified manner in a side view of FIG. 8 which shows aportion of a furnace 6 according to FIG. 1. With the aid of an auxiliarylift which can be adjusted for the crane 34, the casting ladle 4 can betilted or pivoted toward the furnace 6 in a controlled manner, in thesame way as represented and explained in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that, asa result, the liquid material 2 can be filled from the casting ladle 4through the feed chute 12 into the furnace 6.

A third weighing device 36 can be integrated in the crane 34, by meansof which the change in the weight for the casting ladle 4 is determinedwhen said casting ladle is pivoted toward the furnace 6 and in theprocess liquid material 2 exits from the casting ladle 4. The measuredchange in the weight for the casting ladle 4, just as in the case of themeasurement with the first weighing device 22, is a measure for theconveying rate in the form of a mass flow with which the liquid material2 is filled into the furnace 6.

With respect to the means 24, it may be pointed out that theabove-explained scanning device 28, the weighing devices 22, 30, 36 andthe measuring loops 32 can be used alternatively or cumulatively, inorder to determine as a result, the conveying rate at which the liquidmaterial 2 is filled into the furnace 6. In the case of a cumulative useof these elements, an improved accuracy with regard to a sensing andsetting of the conveying rate for the liquid material 2 is ensured.

In reference to the drawing, it may be pointed out that the scanningdevices 20, 28 shown therein are represented in a highly simplified andonly symbolic manner.

Finally, for all the above embodiments of the invention, it may bepointed out that the device 1 also comprises a control unit 3 which isonly indicated symbolically, for example, in FIG. 2, for the purpose ofsimplification. All the mentioned scanning devices, weighing devices andpath measurement sensors or sensors are connected via data lines (notshown) to the control unit 3 so that their signals can be processed inthe control unit 3. Based on this, a suitable control or regulation ofthe hydraulic cylinder 10 for the setting of a desired tilting speed forthe casting ladle 4 is possible, since the hydraulic cylinder 10 is alsoconnected to the control unit 3. As a result, a predetermined conveyingrate at which a liquid material 2 is filled into the furnace 6 can beachieved thereby.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 Device    -   2 Liquid material    -   3 Control    -   4 Casting ladle/starting vessel    -   4 z Guiding pin    -   5 Opening (of the casting ladle)    -   6 Furnace/metallurgical target vessel    -   7 Ladle deposition stand    -   8 s Blind groove    -   8 Holding arms    -   13 Conveying chute    -   10 Hydraulic cylinder    -   12 Feed chute    -   14 Articulated lever    -   16 Filling height    -   18 Means for determining an amount of liquid material    -   20 First scanning device    -   22 First weighing device    -   24 Means for sensing the amount of liquid material    -   26 Sensor, for path measurement sensing    -   28 Second scanning device    -   30 Second weighing device    -   32 Measuring loop    -   34 Crane    -   36 Third weighing device    -   A (Horizontal) axis    -   FF Fireproof material (for the feed chute 12)

1. A device (1) for sensing a conveying rate at which a liquid material(2) in form of pig iron is filled into a metallurgical target vessel (6)from a pivotable starting vessel (4), comprising means (18) fordetermining an amount of liquid material (2) which has been filled intothe starting vessel (4), and means (24) for sensing an amount of liquidmaterial (2) which is discharged toward the target vessel (6) bypivoting of the starting vessel (4), characterized in that between thestarting vessel (4) and the target vessel (6), a feed chute (12) whichis formed of a fireproof material (FF), is provided, and in that themeans (24) for sensing an amount of liquid material (2) which isdischarged toward the target vessel (6) by pivoting of the startingvessel (4), comprises at least one measuring loop (32) which isintegrated in a wall material (FF) of the feed chute (12).
 2. The device(1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (18) by meansof which the amount of liquid material (2) in the starting vessel (4) isdetermined comprise a first scanning device (20), wherein the startingvessel (4) and its geometry can be scanned by the first scanning device(20) when the starting vessel (4) is empty as well as when the liquidmaterial (2) has been filled into said starting vessel.
 3. The device(1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (18) and/orthe means (24) comprise at least one weighing device (22, 36) by meansof which the weight of the starting vessel (4) can be determined whilethe starting vessel (4) is tilted in the direction of the target vessel(6) in order to fill the liquid material (2) into the target vessel (6).4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that theweighing device (22) is integrated in a deposition stand (7) on whichthe starting vessel (4) can be positioned.
 5. The device (1) accordingto claim 3, characterized in that the weighing device (36) is integratedin a crane (34) to which the starting vessel (4) can be attached.
 6. Thedevice (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (24)—bymeans of which the amount of liquid material (2) discharged toward thetarget vessel (6) by pivoting of the starting vessel (4) issensed—comprise a path measurement sensor (26) by means of which atilting movement with which the starting vessel (4) is pivoted in thedirection of the target vessel (6) can be determined.
 7. The device (1)according to claim 6, characterized in that, by means of the pathmeasurement sensor (26), both a tilting angle and a tilting speed atwhich the starting vessel (4) is pivoted in the direction of the targetvessel (6) can be determined.
 8. The device (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that the means (24) for sensing an amount of liquidmaterial (2) which is discharged toward the target vessel (6) bypivoting of the starting vessel (4) comprise a second scanning device(28) by means of which a feed chute (12) arranged between the startingvessel (4) and the target vessel (6) can be scanned in order todetermine thereby a filling height (16) to which the feed chute (12) hasbeen filled with the liquid material (2).
 9. The device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the means (24) for sensing an amount ofliquid material (2) which is discharged toward the target vessel (6) bypivoting of the starting vessel (4), comprises a second weighing device(30) by means of which the weight of the a feed chute (12) arrangedbetween the starting vessel (4) and the target vessel (6) can bemeasured continuously.
 10. A method for sensing a conveyance rate of aliquid material (2) in form of pig iron, at which the liquid material(2) is filled into a metallurgical target vessel (6) from a pivotablestarting vessel (4), characterized by the steps of: (i) determining anamount of liquid material (2) contained in the starting vessel (4), and(ii) sensing the amount of liquid material (2) which is dischargedtoward the target vessel (6) by pivoting of the starting vessel (4),characterized in that, between the starting vessel (4) and the targetvessel (6), a feed chute (12) is arranged, so that, when the startingvessel (4) is pivoted in the direction of the target vessel (6), theliquid material (2) exits from the starting vessel (4) first into thefeed chute (12) and subsequently reaches the target vessel (6) from thefeed chute (12), wherein the feed chute (12) is formed of a fireproofmaterial, in that, in step (ii), a filling height to which the feedchute (12) is filled with the liquid material (2), is determined whenthe starting vessel (4) is tilted in the direction of the target vessel(6) and in the process the liquid material (2) exits from the startingvessel (4) into the feed chute (12), and in that, in the fireproofmaterial (FF) of the feed chute (12) which adjoins an innercircumferential surface of the feed chute (12), at least one measuringloop (32) is provided, wherein a filling height (16) of the liquidmaterial (2) is determined within the feed chute (12) by the at leastone measuring loop (32), wherein in the at least one measuring loop(32), electrical fields are induced by interaction with the pig iron.11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, in step(i), the geometry of the starting vessel (4) when no liquid material (2)is contained therein and subsequently a filling height of the liquidmaterial (2) when said material has been filled into the starting vessel(4) are sensed, and in that, in step (ii), a tilting speed of thestarting vessel (4) at which the starting vessel (4) is pivoted in thedirection of the target vessel (6) is sensed, wherein the liquidmaterial (2) exits from the starting vessel (4) in the direction of thetarget vessel (6). 12-13. (canceled)
 14. The method according to claim10, characterized in that the feed chute (12) is scanned in order todetermine the filling height (16) of the liquid material (2) within thefeed chute (12).
 15. (canceled)
 16. The method according to claim 10,characterized in that, in step (ii), the weight of the feed chute (12)is measured continuously while the starting vessel (4) is tilted in thedirection of the target vessel (6) and in the process the liquidmaterial (2) exits from the starting vessel (4) into the feed chute(12).
 17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, instep (ii), the weight of the starting vessel (4) is measuredcontinuously.
 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized inthat, while the liquid material (2) is filled into the metallurgicaltarget vessel (6), the starting vessel (4) is positioned in a depositionstand (7) which is equipped with at least one weighing device (22). 19.(canceled)
 20. The method according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe tilting speed for the starting vessel (4) in step (ii) is selectedin such a manner that the conveying rate at which the liquid material(2) exits from the starting vessel (4) in the direction of the targetvessel (6) is substantially constant. 21-22. (canceled)
 23. A methodaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the method is carried outby a device comprising means (18) for determining an amount of liquidmaterial (2) which has been filled into the starting vessel (4), andmeans (24) for sensing an amount of liquid material (2) which isdischarged toward the target vessel (6) by pivoting of the startingvessel (4), characterized in that between the starting vessel (4) andthe target vessel (6), a feed chute (12) which is formed of a fireproofmaterial (FF), is provided, and that the means (24) for sensing anamount of liquid material (2) which is discharged toward the targetvessel (6) by pivoting of the starting vessel (4), comprises at leastone measuring loop (32) which is integrated in a wall material (FF) ofthe feed chute (12).
 24. A method for setting a predetermined conveyingrate at which a liquid material in form of pig iron is filled into ametallurgical starting vessel (6) from a starting vessel (4),characterized by the steps of: (i) determining an amount of liquidmaterial (2) contained in the starting vessel (4), and (ii) sensing theamount of liquid material (2) which is discharged toward the targetvessel (6) by pivoting of the starting vessel (4), characterized inthat, between the starting vessel (4) and the target vessel (6), a feedchute (12) is arranged, so that, when the starting vessel (4) is pivotedin the direction of the target vessel (6), the liquid material (2) exitsfrom the starting vessel (4) first into the feed chute (12) andsubsequently reaches the target vessel (6) from the feed chute (12),wherein the feed chute (12) is formed of fireproof material, in that, instep (ii), a filling height to which the feed chute (12) is filled withthe liquid material (2), is determined when the starting vessel (4) istilted in the direction of the target vessel (6) and in the process theliquid material (2) exits from the starting vessel (4) into the feedchute (12), in that, in the material (FF) of the feed chute (12) whichadjoins an inner circumferential surface of the feed chute (12), atleast one measuring loop (32) is provided, wherein a filling height (16)of the liquid material (2) is determined within the feed chute (12) bythe measuring loop (32), wherein in the at least one measuring loop(32), electrical fields are inducted by interaction with the pig iron,and in that in order to sense the conveying rate, a tilting speed forthe starting vessel (4) in the step (ii) is regulated in such a mannerthat the predetermined conveying rate for liquid material (2) is set,and the liquid material is filled into the target vessel (6) at the setpredetermined rate.